GOLD Report I - UCLG

EURASIA120United Cities and Local GovernmentsLocal referendumsare only practisedin Russia on theestablishment orstructure of localgovernments,although they areprovided for alllegislations. Formsof citizenparticipation at thesub-municipal levelare still mostpopularcountry, a majority electoral system wasused in 2002, and a mixed electoral systemin 2006.In Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, the majorityelectoral system is used for local elections.IV.4. Citizen participationCitizens demonstrate different attitudestoward local political life. As a rule, they stillprefer to turn to the central state for resolutionof their problems, although this ischanging. In communities where local governmentshave sufficient resources, candecide local issues efficiently, and defendthe interests of the local population, theauthority and status of local government ishigh, sometimes rivaling state authorities.For instance, in Russia mayors of severalcities are more popular than governors ofthe subjects of the Federation. In countriessuch as Armenia, Georgia and Moldova,where local resources are limited, the populationtypically regards local government assimply the lowest level of state power.Overall, throughout the Eurasian region,voter participation in local elections is lowerthan the turnout for national elections.In Russia, voter participation in electionsfor rural representative bodies and executiveleaders was 56.43% and 54.81% respectively.In municipal districts, voterturnout for comparable elections was50.46% for the representative body andagain 54.81% for executive posts.According to official data for the 2004 electionsin Azerbaijan, 46% of registeredvoters took part in municipal electionsthere. In Belarus, local elections in 2003saw 73% voter participation, and in Georgiathe turnout for elections in 2005 wasmore than 40%.In all countries of the region, legislation providesfor different forms of direct democracy.In practice, these forms are employed withdifferent levels of energy and consistency.In Russia, law establishes such proceduresas local referendum, recall of local electedofficials, voting on changes of the boundariesof municipal entities and on theirreform, rulemaking initiatives, public hearings,meetings and conferences of citizens,and other civic activities. In2004–2005, some 400 local referendumswere held in 22 of the 89 subjects –districts–that comprise the Russian Federation;most of the referendums concernedthe establishment or structure of local governments.Belarus’ Constitution and Electoral Codeprovides for local referendums and recalls ofdeputies of local soviets (councils) of deputies.However, there were no local referendums,and recalls of deputies were rare. Atthe same time, local meetings are broadlyused in accordance with the Law of 2000.In Ukraine, the law provides for elections,referendums, general meetings at the placeof residence, local initiatives, public hearings,and recall of deputies and local electedofficials. Forms most often used in practiceinclude general meetings at the place ofresidence, local initiatives and public hearingson different issues, including taxation.Referendums are held only rarely.Legislation of the countries of Central Asiadoes provide for elections and referendums.But in the main, only state-widereferendums are held. In Uzbekistan, localgovernment takes the form of assembliesof citizens convened in settlements, villages,kishlaks, auls and makhalyas. Managingbodies of local government structuresare elected by, and are responsible to votersresiding in the respective territories.The Constitution of Armenia establishestwo main forms of direct democracy: electionsand referendums. No referendum hasyet been held.In several countries, there are forms ofdemocratic participation below the municipallevel, including groups representing a